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Coach Kasper Hjulmand: "There were only two options"
Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen / Ritzau Scanpix / imago images
Denmark's national coach Kasper Hjulmand has confirmed his allegations against the European football association Uefa after the continuation of the European Championship game against Finland.
"I had the feeling that we and the players were being put under pressure," said the 49-year-old on Tuesday morning at a press conference in the Danish EM quarters in Elsinore.
Denmark's playmaker Christian Eriksen collapsed and was revived during the game on Saturday night. When it was clear that the 29-year-old was conscious and had to be taken to a hospital, Uefa presented both teams with the decision to either continue playing the same evening or at 12 noon on Sunday. The European umbrella organization has confirmed this several times, but rejects the accusation that it had exerted pressure before the decision. Uefa is also massively criticized for presenting the continuation of the game on Saturday evening only as if this had been the wish of both teams.
“It's undeniable that Uefa gave us two options.
I was there.
I know it.
There were only two options.
And it was very, very clear, ”said Hjulmand now.
And: "In any case, it is completely wrong to believe that we came and said that we would like to continue playing."
Hjulmand had already described the continuation of the game as a mistake the day after the game.
“The players were in shock and were asked to choose between these two alternatives.
Maybe we should have just got on the bus and then see what happens the next morning.
That's my feeling. ”He therefore had a bit of a“ guilty conscience ”.
The Danish players Kasper Schmeichel and Martin Braithwaite also clearly criticized the UEFA decision on Monday.
On Tuesday, Hjulmand added to the association's address: “I don't think it was the right decision.
It wasn't the right way to lead either.
No football should have been played. ”His criticism is not about getting“ an equalization or even a point ”afterwards.
His aim was to have a learning effect after Christian Eriksen's dramatic collapse.
Coach allows players to play against Belgium
Hjulmand gives his players up to whether they want to be part of the next European Championship game against Belgium or not.
“It's too early to say whether every player will be mentally ready to play Thursday's game.
And it's okay if there are some players who are emotionally not ready to play against Belgium. "
After the positive news from Eriksen, Hjulmand himself is more confident about the next game.
“The last 24 hours have been good for the group.
We know that Christian is fine.
And we're back on the training ground.
There was a smile on the faces of the players again. "
sak / dpa
